Get your motor running, get college credit

All roads lead to, well some lead to college

Out in Kansas, where the wheatfields get heavy, you can do more than restore your '60 Chevy: You can fix up an old, battered BSA and dream of a running Honda.

In Salinas, McPherson College is offering a major in motorcycle restoration, through it's automotive restoration program. It seems that the college recognizes there's money to be had in restoring old iron, or at least in getting tuition from students who want to learn to restore old iron.

And we thought bikes were too cool for school.

"The restoration industry has recognized antique motorcycle restoration as a popular and growing segment of the hobby," said a statement released by the college. "

“It turns out there’s a lot of people interested in motorcycle restoration because they’re popular and affordable,” said Joe Dickhudt, assistant professor of technology at McPherson College, which goes by the moniker MC.

Coincidence? There are no coincidences.

Road toads and rat bikes have their own appeal

The college has acquired a '65 Honda 305 Dream and a 1970 BSA 250 for the first class to tiddle with. They're looking for an old Indian, Harley or Triumph -- pre-1970 -- for the next class or two.

"The program, which expands the automotive restoration program, will emphasize historical and technical restoration," the school statement states. "In addition to adjusting standard classes on sheet metal, trim and paint to have a motorcycle emphasis, there will also be a class on the history of the American motorcycle and courses on the unique aspects of motorcycle engines, power trains and suspensions."

According to the school Web site, the college’s 23-acre campus is located in McPherson, Kansas, central Kansas that is. The town was ranked by Progressive Farmer magazine as the third-best place to live in rural America and the best place to live in the rural Midwest.

I'm not kidding.

College is getting better all the time, if farther out in the sticks.